Law

A new idea in software protection; a 'Manifesto' calls for a unique law that's neither copyright nor patent

Article Abstract:

Two law professors and two software technologists have completed the 'Manifesto Concerning the Legal Protection of Computer Programs,' Lawyers have long disagreed on whether software should be protected by copyright or patent law. The authors of the manifesto say behavior, or the ability to tell a computer to do a specific task, is software's essential characteristic. They say the problem is the ease of duplication of functions without violating a software program's protected code and propose automatic short-term protection followed by longer-term protection if a registration process is completed.

Biotech patent derided: critics say it's overbroad and will hinder the search for treatment of AIDS

Article Abstract:

Biotechnology attorneys are perplexed and angry in the wake of a grant of patent on Mar 21 to Dr French Anderson and colleagues for human gene therapy. The patent, licensed exclusively to Genetic Therapy Inc, covers any insertion of a human gene into a patient to fight a disease. Critics say similar technology is already in use, and question why the patent was issued so quickly. Some note that many of the patent examiners worked with Dr Anderson, while others compare the case to Compton's New Media.

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences, Genetic Engineering, United States, Intellectual property, Biotechnology

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Congress considers sweeping revisions in copyright law

Article Abstract:

The Copyright Reform Act of 1993 would, if passed, change copyright law substantially. It would do away with the Copyright Royalty Tribunal, add the Register of Copyrights to the list of presidential appointees, and no longer require copyright infringement litigants to have registered their copyrights first. Similar bills have been introduced in both the House and Senate. The bill is supported by a number of professional organizations.